SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4263-3
Monolayer black phosphorus (phosphorene) exhibits a direct bandgap and strong in-plane anisotropy, making it a promising candidate for near-infrared (NIR) optoelectronic devices. However, the precise modulation of its excitonic emission via anisotropic strain remains insufficiently understood, particularly regarding the contrasting strain responses of phosphorene versus transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). Here, we combine experimental characterization with tight-binding (TB) modeling to elucidate the strain-dependent bandgap evolution in phosphorene. Using a four-band TB model, we derive the bandgap at the Γ point as E_g^BP = 4t1 + 2t2 + 4t3 + 2t5, with hopping parameters t1 = -1.220 eV, t2 = 3.665 eV, t3 = -0.205 eV, t4 = -0.105 eV, and t5 = -0.055 eV. Under tensile strain along the zigzag (ZZ) direction, the interatomic distance associated with t1 increases, reducing the magnitude of |t1|. Since t1 is negative, the bandgap increases, contrary to the behavior of monolayer MoS2, where tensile strain decreases the bandgap due to positive hopping parameters t11, t22, and t12. This anisotropic strain response enables selective tuning of NIR exciton emission. Our findings provide a quantitative framework for strain engineering in phosphorene-based NIR devices, highlighting the critical role of hopping parameter signs in determining bandgap modulation.
New Carbon Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1016/S1872-5805(25)61036-5
Large graphene oxide (LGO) sheets offer significant advantages over smaller ones in various applications, yet their production via Hummers-type oxidation of large natural graphite flakes remains challenging due to difficulties in achieving full oxidation and avoiding fragmentation. This study provides the first direct evidence that large graphite flakes (up to 1 mm) can be completely oxidized without fragmentation under static conditions, as revealed by in-situ monitoring. The oxidation process is governed by diffusion of the oxidizer between layers, described by Fick's law, where a high oxidizer concentration gradient increases the diffusion rate. By minimizing the amount of concentrated H2SO4 solvent, we achieved a semi-solid state that elevates oxidizer concentration, facilitating Mn(VII) diffusion and enabling complete oxidation of gram-scale large flakes with significantly reduced reagent consumption. Reaction temperature was optimized to balance graphite oxidation and Mn(VII) self-decomposition. Using this approach, 200-, 100-, and 50-mesh natural graphite were fully oxidized with reduced H2SO4 and KMnO4 usage. After exfoliation, LGO with average lateral sizes of 27.3, 58.7, and 116.2 μm were obtained, respectively, with 100% conversion and yield over 165%. This work not only provides a scalable, cost-effective strategy for LGO production but also advances the fundamental understanding of Hummers-type oxidation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3503-9
This correction addresses an image misuse in the original publication (Sci China Mater, 2025, 68(6): 2095, DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3311-6). Specifically, a fluorescent image in Fig. 4d, depicting live/dead cells after treatment with MPDA@TMZ without laser irradiation, was erroneously presented. The corrected Fig. 4 is provided, and the authors confirm that the results and conclusions of the original paper remain unaffected. The correction ensures the integrity of the reported data, particularly the cell viability and apoptosis assays. The study focuses on mesoporous bowl-shaped polydopamine (MPDA) nanoparticles co-loaded with temozolomide (TMZ) and indocyanine green (ICG) for synergistic glioblastoma therapy. The corrected figure includes CLSM images of G422 cells after incubation with various formulations (ICG, sPDA@ICG, mPDA@ICG, MPDA@ICG), cell viability curves, quantitative fluorescence intensity, live/dead staining, and apoptosis quantification. Statistical significance is denoted as ****p < 0.01. The correction maintains the scientific validity of the findings, which demonstrate the potential of MPDA-based nanoplatforms for combined chemo-photothermal therapy.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202509009
Air-supplied jet aerators, combining hydraulic jet and gas induction principles, are critical equipment in aerobic biological wastewater treatment. However, low energy conversion efficiency and insufficient local gas-liquid mixing are core bottlenecks limiting their competitiveness. A three-dimensional flow field analysis method for jet aerators was developed based on the k-ε turbulence model and Euler-Euler multiphase flow model. The effects of different orifice plate distributions, shapes, sizes, hole numbers, and installation positions on average pressure, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent dissipation rate were systematically studied. Results show that the asterisk-shaped orifice plate yields the highest gas-liquid two-phase turbulent mixing intensity, followed by the annular shape, while the parallel arrangement yields the lowest. With increasing hole number and single-hole size, average pressure, velocity, turbulent kinetic energy, and turbulent dissipation rate for different plate shapes initially fluctuate downward and then stabilize. When the number of triangular holes is 9, mass transfer efficiency is significantly enhanced, and overall aerator performance is excellent. When the triangular hole diameter is 7 mm, the device achieves an optimal match between energy utilization and mixing efficiency across pressure distribution, velocity field, turbulent kinetic energy, and dissipation rate. The farther the porous thin plate is installed from the sewage nozzle, the further gas-liquid two-phase turbulence is enhanced. Experiments confirm that the boundary layer is fully developed, liquid and air are thoroughly mixed, and the orifice plate promotes bubble breakup and refinement through throttling and collision, significantly improving oxygen transfer efficiency. This research provides a theoretical basis and technical support for the transformation and upgrading of aeration technology towards high efficiency and low carbon, and for extending equipment service life.
Journal of Environmental Engineering Technology•2026•DOI: 10.13205/j.hjgc.202606014
Microplastics, as emerging environmental pollutants, can adsorb psychotropic drugs in aquatic environments, facilitating their migration and transformation, ultimately posing ecological risks. This study investigated the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of four common microplastics—polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC)—each with a particle size of 50 μm, toward three psychoactive drugs: diazepam, fluoxetine, and mianserin. Adsorption kinetics, isotherms, and the effects of pH and salinity were examined. Kinetic data fitted well to a pseudo-second-order model, indicating chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. Isotherm analysis using Langmuir and Freundlich models revealed that PE exhibited the highest affinity for fluoxetine, PP for mianserin, and PVC for diazepam, while PS showed linear adsorption for fluoxetine, suggesting partitioning. The adsorption of diazepam was maximal at pH 6.5–8.5, typical of natural surface waters, and increased with NaCl concentration, indicating that non-electrostatic interactions dominate and that higher ionic strength enhances adsorption. Mechanistic insights suggest that hydrophobic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions (for PS), and halogen bonding (for fluoxetine) contribute to adsorption. These findings highlight the potential of microplastics to act as vectors for psychoactive drugs, necessitating further research on their environmental fate and ecological implications.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-3859-y
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is an attractive route to address sustainable energy crises and environmental issues, yet its efficiency is limited by poor charge separation, narrow light absorption, sluggish kinetics, and low CO2 adsorption/activation. Here, a series of Co SA-TT-COF/CdS S-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts were synthesized by integrating Co single atoms (Co SA) decorated covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with CdS nanotubes via in situ condensation and post-modification. The TT-COF layer thickness on CdS was regulated to optimize active site density and accessibility. The optimal Co SA-TT-COF/15 wt% CdS heterojunction, with a TT-COF thickness of 50.5 nm, achieved a CO production rate of 14157 μmol g−1 h−1 and a selectivity of 90.9%, among the best COF-based photocatalysts reported. Theoretical calculations, experiments, and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy revealed that the S-scheme heterojunction enhances the built-in electric field, optimizes energy levels, narrows bandgaps, extends light harvesting, improves charge separation and transfer kinetics, and lowers energy barriers for CO2 adsorption/activation, directly contributing to superior performance.
Environmental Chemistry•2026•DOI: 10.7524/j.issn.0254-6108.2025031105
Colloids significantly influence contaminant transport in groundwater, yet their behavior under varying hydrochemical conditions remains inadequately characterized. This study employed quartz sand as a surrogate porous medium to investigate colloid transport through column experiments under controlled pH and ionic strength (IS). Breakthrough curves (BTCs) were obtained for a conservative tracer and for colloids under nine combinations of pH (5, 7, 9) and IS (1, 5, 10 mmol·L−1). Hydrus-1D, incorporating a two-site kinetic sorption model, was used to simulate colloid transport and derive key parameters: attachment rate (k1a), detachment rate (k1d), straining rate (k2a), and maximum retained concentration on site 2 (Smax2). Results demonstrated that increasing pH and decreasing IS enhanced colloid mobility. Specifically, at IS = 1 mmol·L−1, normalized peak concentrations (C/C0) were 0.33, 0.40, and 0.72 for pH 5, 7, and 9, respectively. At pH = 7, C/C0 decreased from 0.40 to 0.18 and 0.12 as IS increased from 1 to 5 and 10 mmol·L−1. The fitted transport parameters accurately captured these trends, with R² ≥ 0.95 across all conditions. Mechanistically, higher pH increases negative surface charge and electrostatic repulsion, while higher IS compresses the double layer and reduces repulsion, thereby inhibiting transport. These findings provide quantitative insights for predicting colloid-facilitated contaminant migration in subsurface environments.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511055
To systematically investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of hydrodynamics and water quality under cascaded hydropower development in the upper Heihe River, a MIKE21-based water environment model was constructed for the mountainous reach. The model simulated the dynamic changes of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) from January to August 2023. Calibration and validation against field data showed good performance: the hydrodynamic model achieved a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.89 and a mean relative error (MRE) of 11.3%; the water quality model achieved an average R2 of 0.86 and an average MRE of 14.21%. Hydrodynamic simulations revealed average flow velocities of 1.78, 0.72, and 0.36 m·s−1 during wet, normal, and dry periods, respectively. Natural river sections exhibited high velocities up to 4.3 m·s−1, while reservoir sections had near-stagnant flow due to hydraulic structures. Water quality simulations indicated that TN and NH3-N concentrations were higher in dry and normal periods, whereas TP was higher in the wet period. Spatially, concentrations in reservoir sections exceeded those in natural sections: natural sections had TP, TN, and NH3-N concentrations of 0.07–0.10, 0.25–0.50, and 0.025–0.250 mg·L−1, respectively, while reservoir sections had 0.12–0.17, 0.60–0.80, and 0.10–0.45 mg·L−1. These findings provide scientific references for water environment management in the Heihe River and similar inland river basins.
Chinese Journal of Environmental Engineering•2026•DOI: 10.12030/j.cjee.202511050
Municipal solid waste (MSW) management in Inner Mongolia has long relied on landfilling, facing land scarcity and leachate management challenges. This study addresses the region's dry, cold climate, high proportion of agricultural and livestock waste, fluctuating moisture content, and weak leachate treatment capacity. An engineering optimization was implemented on an 80 t·d−1 vertical rotary gasification-incineration system featuring a dual-combustion-chamber design (primary chamber for medium-temperature pyrolysis-gasification at 550–650 °C and secondary chamber for high-temperature oxidation above 900 °C), coupled with in-situ leachate recirculation. Field measurements showed improved processing capacity and continuous operation stability. Under the project's leachate yield, in-situ recirculation achieved on-site disposal without significant adverse effects on gasification-incineration conditions, providing buffering against moisture fluctuations. During the monitoring period, major gaseous pollutant emissions remained below current national standards. The results provide engineering references for the co-processing and stable operation of small-scale county-level MSW treatment facilities.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-025-4055-6
The global pursuit of clean energy and environmental remediation has intensified research into solar-driven photocatalysis, with g-C3N4 emerging as a leading metal-free polymer semiconductor. Between 2020 and 2025, significant advances have been achieved in overcoming the inherent limitations of pristine g-C3N4, such as restricted light absorption (wavelengths <460 nm), rapid charge recombination, and insufficient active sites, through sophisticated modification strategies. This period has witnessed the refined development of elemental doping, defect engineering, heterostructure construction, and cocatalyst loading, each playing a critical role in enhancing optical properties, charge separation efficiency, and surface reactivity. Contemporary research increasingly focuses on band structure precision engineering, interfacial charge transfer pathways, and defect-mediated catalytic mechanisms. These developments are underpinned by advanced characterization techniques, including X-ray absorption spectroscopy, in-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, Kelvin probe force microscopy, in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and electron paramagnetic resonance. Looking forward, emerging trends such as AI-guided material design, atomic-scale defect control, and operando analysis are shaping the next generation of high-efficiency g-C3N4 photocatalysts, offering a promising outlook for their application in sustainable energy conversion and environmental remediation.
SCIENCE CHINA Materials•2026•DOI: 10.1007/s40843-026-4075-1
Titanium alloys, such as Ti-6Al-4V (TC4), are indispensable in aerospace, biomedical, and advanced manufacturing due to their high specific strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, their inherent strength-ductility trade-off and limited stiffness hinder next-generation lightweight structural applications. Traditional ceramic reinforcements (TiC, TiB2, SiC) improve strength but introduce brittleness and interfacial incompatibility, degrading plasticity and fatigue resistance. Graphene, with theoretical strength ~130 GPa and Young's modulus ~1 TPa, offers a promising two-dimensional reinforcement. This review systematically examines graphene-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs), focusing on the intrinsic relationship between preparation, microstructure, and properties. Key preparation routes include powder metallurgy and additive manufacturing, with challenges in achieving uniform dispersion and controlling interfacial reactions. Recent studies demonstrate that surface modification and process optimization can form an ideal interface structure comprising a nano-TiC layer and residual graphene. Even at low graphene additions, synergistic strengthening mechanisms—load transfer, fine-grain strengthening, and Orowan dislocation bypass—significantly enhance strength, hardness, and wear resistance while preserving ductility. This review consolidates critical theoretical and experimental findings, offering guidance to overcome technological bottlenecks and promote engineering applications of graphene-reinforced TMCs.